Building construction



Aug. 6, 1935. H. 1 DovELL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May l', 1933 nz/*Erz JDJ- HARPfLEal/EM,

Aug- 6, 1935. H. L. DOVELI. 2,010,294

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Fled May l7, 1933 3 SheetS-Sheet, 2

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Aug. 6, 1935. H, L. DOVELI.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 17, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 55,2. .eil/n un. .f

ceilings and the like for use Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT Volf-FICE 2,010,294 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Harry L. Dovell, Chicago, lll. Application May 17, 1933, Serial No. 671,459

12 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved wall-section and the method of using and assembling such section to form outer and inner walls, partitions, in combination with an improved steel framework structure for buildings and the like.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved type of building section in t e form of a flanged block open at either the front or the back and at the top and bottom, and including a closure plate or panel adapted to be secured to the block flanges after the block is mounted in position to close either the front or back of the block as the case may be.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved building unit designed for use in combination with steel frame structures, said unit comprising a hollow block panel constructed of durable, light-weight, waterproof and flreproof material having the inherent property of wood permitting the material to be cut or sawed and allowing nails, screws or other fastening means to be driven into the material for construction purposes and allowing the closure plates or panels to be fastened to the hollow blccks after the blocks have been mounted in position to form the major portion of an inner or outer wall or partition.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a building unit of an improved composition Aof matter which is light weight, waterproof and ireproof, and having certain of the inherent properties of wood permitting the material to be cut and sawed and allowing nails, screws and' other fastening means to be driven into the matelrial whereby the block portions of the unit may be mounted in position to form a wall or partition, one face of whichis open and is adapted to be closed by means of closure plates or panels forming part of the unit, permitting convenient mounting of pipes, conduits, wires and the like before the panels are secured in position and also permitting convenient and rapid access to the equipment enclosed by the wall section by the simple removal of the boards or panels from the block members.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a building unit comprising a grooved or channel-shaped tion material having certain of the inherent characteristics of wood, such block adapted to be mounted in position to partially surround or enclose equipment and frame members of a construction to permit the same to be substantially concealed by means of a closure board or panel and a closure block constructed of a composi-` (Cl. 'l2-1) removably closed to complete a 5 wall section of the construction.

It is yfurthermore object of this this invention to provide an improved wall and a method of conaccess to be had to the equipment enclosed in the 3o walls when necessary. i

Another object of the invention is to provide a building consisting of a foundation and a framework supported thereon, with said framework having associated therewith adjacently positioned building units comprising open faced tiles or blocks and closure plates or panels for the same, said blocks adapted to be mounted in position adjacent one another to form open faced walls and partitions for the building permitting 40` piping, wiring, conduits and the like to be readily enclosed or installed in the open faced walls and partitions prior to the closing of the walls and partitions by means of the closure plates or panels which are adapted to be removably secured in staggered relation with respect to the blocks to close the walls and partitions.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved .wall and method of construction without the use of laths, plaster and the like, said wall being formed around a supporting framework and comprising channelshaped or open faced tiles or blocks mounted in abutting or interfltting relation with one another tov form an open faced wall, said blocks being `ing the lower end thereof secured in position by improved tie rods, hangers, anchoring means and the like, said walls and partitions furthermore adapted to have the lower marginsinished or enclosed Vby means of baseboards forming recesses or spaces for the reception of conduit, wiring and the like to permit the' wiring and conduits to be directed up into the partitions and walls in desired locations by the simple removal of the baseboards.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a building partition constructed of improved building units consisting of channel-shaped or grooved blocks having open faces adapted to be closed by'means of closure panels after the blocks are mounted in position to provide an open faced partition, said partition havsupported on an adjustable jack mechanism to permit the partitions to be conveniently adjusted to compensate for variations in the distances between the oors and ceilings, said partitions having the additional advantage of being readily dismembered and the various sections or parts thereof reused to provide a partition in' a different location or if desired permitting the entire partition to be conveniently shifted by removing lthe closure panels and releasing the upper and lower supports of the blocks.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification andthe accompanying drawings.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of la building under constr .ction illustrating the improved building units and the method of mounting the same in position associated with the building framework.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a wall constructed of improved open faced wall blocks and the closure panels therefor.

Figure 3 is a vertical detail sectional view taken through a wall and oor section and illustrating the method of securing the ceiling panels in position and also showing the associated relation of the walls with the oor and ceiling.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal detail section through a corner of the building illustratlng a wall having the open faced building blocks disposed on the inside and the closure panels on the outside.

Figure 5 illustrates another fragmentary horizontal section through intersecting walls of the building illustrating the positioning of a soil stack enclosed by a pair of oppositely directed abutting blocks.

Figure 6 illustrates a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of lthe building taken through an I-beam column or upright illustrating a channelshaped block for enclosing the inner portion of the lI-beam column.

Figure '1 is another fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken through a corner of the building and illustrating a modied form of corner structure employing blocks, the outer surfaces of the outer flanges of which are plain.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the abutting upper and lower ends of two vertically aligned walls with portions of the wall closure plates or panels broken away to illustrate the connecting or anchor rod construction at the wall blocks to a base, foundation or floor, and

to the end of an intermediate floor.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical detail section through one story of a building illustrating aknockdown or movable type of adjustable partition and the means for removably securing the same in position and adjusting the partition to compensate for variations in room height.

Figure l1 is a vertical detail section taken on line XI-XI of Figure 10.

As shown on the drawings.

As clearly illustrated in Figure 1, the reference numeral I indicates a basement floor beneath the level of a ground floor 2. Supported on the basement floor I at required intervals are column foundation pedestals 3. Also supported v foundation wall l and 5 is a. steel structure or framework comprising columns 6 having secured or supported thereon cantilever floor sections 1. The vertical columns I6 and the cantilever floor sections 'I form column units having the adjacent column units connected by means of connecting floor sections 8. The connecting oor sections 8 on opposite sides of a room are connected by a main floor section consisting of adjacently positioned and connected inverted channel sections 9.

The entire framework is constructed of metal comprising the cantilever column units and the connecting metal oor unit. The metal framework is first completely mounted in position on the foundation supports 3, 4 and 5. After the metal framework has been assembled upon the foundation, the plumbing pipes I0, soil pipes 2|, electric wiring, conduits and other similar equipment may be conveniently mounted in position supported by the weight carrying framework. 'Ihe upper iioor sections 8 and 9 and the upper cantilever platforms 'l form a metal roof section. 'I'he metal columns 6 are provided with the cantilever platforms 'I secured thereto and spaced one above the other a distance depending upon the height of the rooms of the building. The floor sections as well as the column units are adapted to be assembled as complete units at the factory and are shipped in sizes which may be conveniently handled at the building site.

One of the important features of the construction is the new and novel building units out' of which the outer and inner walls and partitions of the building are adapted to be conveniently and rapidly built. Each of the building units comprises a tile or block comprising, in one of its forms, a main plate or panel II, side flanges I2 and I3, and an intermediate flange I4. As clearly illustrated in Figure 2, the flanges I2, I3 and Il project from one .surface of the plate or panel I I outwardly in parallel relation to form an open faced building tile or block of any desired length having the ends thereof in the form illustrated in Figure 2 open. The outer face of the side flange I2 is provided with a groove I5 while the outer face of the flange I3 is provided with a rib or tongue I6. This construction permits adjacently positioned blocks to interfit one another. In Figure 'l a modified form of building tile or block is illustrated consisting of a main plate or Aio ing blocks are panel I1, end flange il.

flanges II and an intermediate This type of block is also of the open face construction having plain outer surfaces for number of the inherent properties of wood percovered by United States patent to Lon blocks constructed and 2 the construction is shown mitting the material to be cut or sawedand also permitting nails. screws or other fastening means to be driven into the material for mounting the blocks and panelsin position to form wall structures for the building. The tiles or blocks and the closure plates or panels therefor are preferably provided in ceiling-height lengths or greater so that shorter lengths may be cut therefrom on the construction :lob as required. The material of which the building blocks and closure panels therefor are constructed is of light weight so that the long lengths of the blocks and panels may be readily handled by workmen. The particular material of which the blocks and panels might be constructed is similar to that known in the trade under the trade-mark X-Ite and is Edward vWelch, Patent No. 1,626,577, dated April 26, i927.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the improved grooved or channel-shaped open faced building tiles or ferred to or of a similar material having the required characteristics hereinbei'ore referred to are preferably furnished in iloor or story heights. The blocks are mounted adjacent oneanother in abutting relation with the rst iloor or lower blocks supported on the foundation walls while the upper story walls are formed by supporting the lower ends of the blocks on the upper ends of the lower blocks. Single channel blocks 22, such as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, may be used in abutting pairs as shown in Figure 5 to surround or enclose the soil stack or pipe 2i or as illustrated in Figure 6 one'of the single channel blocks 22 may be used to enclose one side of one of the framework columns Window openings 2l and door opening 24 may be cut in the blocks or, where more convenient shorter lengths of the blocks may be used as illustrated in Figure 1 to provide the required window or door openings.

.At the corners of the building hollow corner blocks 25 are provided, as illustrated in Figure 4, for enclosing the tubular steel corner columns y2i or any other type of corner columns which may be used in the framework. As also illustrated in Figure 4, a corner strip or panel 2l constructed of the special material is used to form a closure for the column and a connection between the end blocks of the walls.

Where a corner construction is provided, such as is illustrated in Figure 7, the end blocks of the walls are adapted to overlap and an angle cross-sectioned corner block or strip 2l ls used against the side edges of which the closure plates or panels 20 are adapted to abut.

It will be noted that in figures, such as Figures 4 and 7, the improved building blocks are positioned to form the inner sides of the walls while the outer sides of the closure plates or panels 2l. In Figures 1 of the selected material re-p the walls are formed by wherein thebuilding blocks are used to form the outer sides of the walls while the closure plates or panels 29 are used to formthe finished inner walls of the construction. Either type of construction may be used depending upon the design or construction selected by the architect.

For the purpose of holding the adjacently positioned blocks tightly connected one to the the webs or vided wit openings near reception of washers 30 and nuts 3| which together with right and left sleeve nuts 32, connecting adjoining threaded ends of the connecting rods, aiord an arrangement for rigidly holding adjacent building blocks fastened together.

engaged over the lower set of anchoring rods 29 in a wall. rfhis equipment permits the lower ends of the blocks to be anchored to the metal hoor structure. gaged at spaced intervals on the outwardly proecting floor flange 33 are a plurality of bolts 35 which project through slots in angle-shaped anchoring clips 36 provided with notches 31 to permit the anchoring clips to engage over an anchoring rod 29 for holding the upper margin oi' a wall in proper position.

As illustrated in the lower portion of Figure 9, the lower margin of a wall Thead bolts 39 which are engaged in T-slots 39 provided in the foundation. The T-head bolts 38 are engaged through anchoring clipsv 36 having the notches 31 thereof engaged over one oi' the lower anchoring rods 29 thereby preventing the lower margin of a wall from being shifted or moved out of position.

The floors of the building construction, as

3, 9 and 10, are formed by ever supporting nier-.gh apertures downwardly projecting flanges of the metal floor sections 9.

As illustrated in Figure 3, a moded fasten- .ing device is shown whereby the lower margins of a wall may be secured to the floor. The wall support comprises a metal channel 45 which is bolted to the framework flooring 9. The side flanges of -the channel 45 are provided with openings 4i at intervals to permit wiring, conduits and the like to be conducted upwardly into the wall. The upper margins of the side flanges of the channel 45 are bent outwardly and upwardly to provide supporting shoulders 4l to desired, the upper corners of the rooms may be provide seats for the lower end of the wall. Baseboards'48 of the special material rest on the flooring 4| and are secured to the Wall by means of nails, screws, or other fastening means.

Also illustrated in Figure 3 is a modified form of building blocks 49 constructed similar to the blocks Il with the added feature of having the ends formed'with closure anges or end pieces 50 to permit the ends of the blocks to be respectively nailed to the ceilings and floors. When finished by means of molding strips I or, if desired, such molding strips may be nailed or secured to the upper margins of the walls.

Figure illustrates a removable wall or partition adapted to be readily constructed in a building in such a manner that the various parts forming the partition may be readily dismembered and reused in a new location. The partition wall is constructed of the special blocks Il and the closure plates or panels 20 which are supported in angle bars 52 which are connected by cross plates 53 forming part of a series of adjustable supporting jacks 54. I'he adjustable jacks 54 are supported in base channels 55 provided with openings to permit the same to be secured in a selected position on the Iioor 4|. The side flanges of the base channels 55 are provided with threaded openings to removably receive retaining screws 56 for removably securing baseboards 51 in position on opposite sides of the lower portion of the wall to enclose the adjustable mechanism for raising or lowering the partition. By securing the baseboards to the base channels 55 it is not necessary to drive nails or screws through the baseboards into the partition wall. This arrangement obviates the formation of holes in the lower margin of the partition wall so that in case the wall is raised there will be no marred surfaces disclosed above the upper edges of the baseboards. The space below the partition wall in between the baseboards affords a storage space or compartment for conduits, wires, pipes and the like to which access may be readily had by the removal of one or both of the baseboards.

For the purpose of removably securing the upper end of the partition in place a Z-bar 58, one ange of which is secured to the ceiling by means of anchoring bolts 34, is provided. Mounted in the other horizontally positioned flange of the Z-bar 58 are a plurality of adjustable hook bolts 34, the hook ends of which are engaged around a connectingor anchoring rod 29 which connects the upper adjacently disposed ends of the building blocks Il which form the major portion of the partition wall. The open faced partition wall formed by the blocks Il which are supported on the adjustable supporting base and by the upper mechanisms supported on a ceiling is adapted to be closed by means of the closure plates or panels 20.

The seams or cracks between the blocks and panels forming the walls, partitions, ceilings and the like, are adapted to be closed whenv necessary by a mastic joint of the particular material of which the building blocksand panels are constructed. The particular kind of material of which the wall blocks and panels are constructed permits any desired finish tobe provided for the exposed surfaces forming thewalls so that when the building blocks and panels are in position, finished surfaces are provided. The novel construction described eliminates the use of wall laths, plaster and th like. It will also be understood that the improved material may be colored as desired so that panels and blocks of desired colors maybe used for producing rooms or outer walls of selected colors. The wall blocks and panels may furthermore have embossed or embedded designs formed in the exposed surfaces thereof so that decorative eects may be produced.

Referring to Figure 1, the building construction is adapted to use the upper metal floor framework section asa steel roof deck which is adapted to be covered with cork or other selected material 59 over vwhich pairs of roofing material 60 are placed. The Walls of the upper oor of the building construction are permitted to project a short distance above the roof to form a coping wall the upper ends of which are covered by cast coping tiles 6| constructed of the,

special material of which the building wall blocks and panels are constructed. The window openings 23 and the door openings 24 located as desired are adapted to have the window frames and door frame secured therein.

The improved building units consisting of the blocks I I of special material and the closure panels or plates therefor are novel not only in that they are constructed of the special material having a number of the inherent characteristics of wood but `said building units further permit the building blocks to be. assembled and connected to form an open faced wall around the building frame members and around the conduits, pipes,

wiring and the like, before it becomes necessary to close the walls by means of the closure plates or panels. This novel construction is new in the art of building and permits ready access to be had to the equipment within the open walls during the period of construction. The arrangement also permits convenient access to be had to the equipment within the walls after the building is completed by the simple removal of the required wall panels.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the pupose to limit 4the patent granted hereon otherwise than is necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my. invention:

1. In a building construction, the combination with a structural framework, of a wall structure for use therewith for enclosing members of the framework, said Wall structure comprising flanged open faced blocks positioned adjacent one another to form an open faced wall for partially enclosing members of the framework, adjustable means for securing the blocks in position, and wall panels removably secured to the blocks to close the openface of the wall and complete the enclosure ofthe framework part.

2. In a building construction, the combination with a structural framework, of walls for enclosing members of the framework, partitions in said building construction, means for adjusting the partitions, each of said walls and partitions comprising open faced blocks secured together in abutting relation to form an open faced wall or partition, and panels secured to the blocks to close the open face of each wall and partition.

3. A building wall structure comprising a framework, a plurality of open faced blocks secured together to form an open faced wall partially enclosing the framework, means within the wall for adjusting the same, and closure panels secured to the wall structure to close the open face thereof to complete the enclosure of the framework.

4. A building wall structure comprising a plurality of channel cross-sectioned intertting blocks forming an open faced wall section, adjustable means for removably supporting the wall section in position, and closure panels `removably secured to said blocks to form a closure for the open face of the wall section.

5. A building wall structure comprising a plurality of intertting open faced flanged blocks, means for securing the same in position to form an open faced wall, means for vertically adjusting the wall, and a plurality of panels removably secured to the wall in staggered relation with respect to the blocks to close the open face of the wall section.

6. A building wall comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned channel cross-sectioned blocks, means for holding the blocks connected one to another to form an open faced wall section, adjustable means for anchoring the upper and lower ends of said blocks in position to hold the open faced wall section in place, and closure panels for closing the open faced wall section.

7. In a building construction wherein a framework is supported on a foundation, the combination with a. plurality of adjacently positioned open faced blocks, means for securing the blocks together to form an open faced wall partially enclosing members of the framework, means for anchoring and holding the open faced wall in place whereby conduits, wiring and the like may be mounted in position in the open face wall, and closure panels secured to the open face wall to close the same and complete the enclosing of the frame members and other equipment.

8. In a building construction wherein a metal framework is supported on a foundation, the combination with the walls, rfloors and ceilings of the building construction, of a demountable partition comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned open faced blocks, means for securing said blocks together to form an open faced wall section, an adjustable support for the wall section for raising or lowering the same, means for anchoring the upper end of the wall section to the ceiling, removable base members for the wall section for enclosing the adjustable supporting means for the wall section, and panel members removably secured to the open faced wall section, said partition being demountable for shifting and re-use of the partition parts in reassembling the ypartition in a different location.

9. In a building construction the combination with a iioor and ceiling thereof, of a demountable partition comprising a plurality of open faced blocks positioned adjacent one another, means for securing said blocks together to form an open faced partition wall, means for removably anchoring the upper end of the partition wall to the ceiling, adjustable supports for the lower end of the partition wall, panels removably secured to the open face of the partition wall, and baseboard members supported on the floor against opposite sides of the lower end of the partition to enclose the adjustable supports.

10. In a building construction of the class described a demountable partition for dividing room space, said partition comprising anged open faced blocks positioned side by side in abutting relation, means for securing said blocks together to form an open faced wall section, means for anchoring the upper end of the Wall section to a room ceiling, an adjustable support for supporting the lower end of the Wall section on the floor of the room, closure panels removably secured to the wall section to close the open face thereof, said closure panels also supported on the adjustable support, and baseboards supported on the floor on opposite sides of the partition and secured to the adjustable support with the upper margins of the baseboards overlapping the lower margin of the partition without being secured thereto.

11. In a building construction of the class de scribed, a demountable partition comprising an coen faced wall, a closure for closing the open fa ce of said wall, means for anchoring the upper end of the wall to a room ceiling, adjustable supports mounted on the floor beneath the partition and serving as a seat for the lower end of the open faced wall and the closure therefor, said adjustable supports holding the lower end of the partition spaced above the floor to afford a conduit and wire space beneath the partition, and baseboards supported on the floor on opposite sides of the partition, and secured to a portion of the adjustable supports to enclose the same with the upper margins of the baseboards having free contact with the opposite faces of the lower end of the partition.

12. In a building construction, a. building unit comprising a base section, a. wall section vertically adjustable therein, means in the base section for adjusting the wall section with respect to the base section, and adjustable anchor means in the wall section for holding the same in position after the adjustment thereof.

HARRY L. DOVELL. 

